Cyclone Ditwah topples trees; banana farmers in TN’s Mayiladuthurai report losses, seek relief
Chennai, Dec 2 (‑LatestNewsX) — In Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu, banana growers are grappling with severe crop damage after Cyclone Ditwah unleashed strong winds that felled about 1,500 banana trees in Aaru Paadhi village, Tharangambadi taluk.
Farmers describe the losses as devastating and recurring, calling on the state authority for swift relief payments.
Over the last five years the district has averaged 511 hectares of banana cultivation. This week’s downpour and gale-force winds reportedly inundated 37.1 hectares, according to the horticulture department.
There are 48 active banana farmers in the area, many of whom rely on seasonal harvests to make a living. The timing of the storm was especially cruel for some; a segment of the crop was being readied for the Karthigai Deepam festival season, when banana sales usually surge.
“Farmers across Mayiladuthurai grow bananas in large numbers. In our village alone, the losses are massive,” said Mayilswami, a cultivator from Aaru Paadhi. “I had raised banana trees on three acres and planned to harvest some for the Karthigai Deepam season, with the rest scheduled for the coming month. But strong winds brought down nearly 300 of my trees.”
Most of those trees were at the ripe stage, ready for picking, he added. “The loss exceeds Rs 100,000. This severe weather occurs roughly every two years. Farmers struggle to recover from repeated crop failures. We urge the government to provide fair and timely compensation,” he said.
Other local growers share the concern. Repeated cyclones, heavy rains and fierce winds in the Cauvery delta have made banana farming increasingly unpredictable, and many fear their financial security could be threatened without immediate aid.
A senior horticulture official confirmed that a comprehensive damage survey is underway. “Farm owners are eligible for compensation when more than 33 percent of their cultivated crop is damaged. Our teams are inspecting the fields to document the losses,” the official said.
The farmers hope the government will speed up the compensation process, enabling them to salvage what’s left of the season and get ready for the next planting cycle.
aal/dpb
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